Archive for June 2015

Sweat on my brow, digging in the part of our back yard that
just wouldn't grow grass, as a kid I would tediously bury and uncover toy cars
and rocks; science at its finest. Growing up in rural Ohio, I fell in love with
archaeology. Florida has been my home for the past 11 years now and I don't
think I could survive a real winter anymore. I earned my AA degree from Seminole State College, my BA from Rollins College (go Tars!), and currently, I
am focusing my efforts at the University of Central Florida as a Master's
student with an emphasis on Maya archaeology. I've completed my Maya Studies
Certificate from UCF and am currently finishing my thesis work on a structure
from a site in Belize.

I've participated in field work in the U.S., Bolivia, and
Belize, having the honor of digging and analyzing architecture, burials,
ceramics, lithics, and many other artifact classes. I've also used my SCUBA
certification to dive 2 Florida shipwrecks with FPAN's HADS workshop, as well
as a few of Florida's amazing springs and rivers. Due to our state's number of submerged
cultural resources, I am excited to use my skills both on land and in the water
to help visitors and residents understand and protect these non-renewable
treasures.

As I begin working for FPAN I have a lot of plans, which are
constantly evolving. My archaeology background means I can talk and teach about
many archaeological methods and theories, but I also have a few specific
areas I'm working on. Currently, I am developing my knowledge of Florida ceramics
and look forward to teaching the public about analyzing ancient pottery, and
leading some experimental archaeology workshops to teach about building and
firing techniques. Further, while at UCF I learned a great deal about
archaeological drawing, a crucial and often under appreciated skill. I hope to
teach some hands-on classes with the public to not only discuss drawing's vital
role in archaeology, but also to share my passion with others!

Beyond "dirt" archaeology, I have experience in
GIS and GPR and will be working with my colleague in the East Central Region to
learn more about these technologies and the science behind them. As FPAN East
Central works closely with community partners to record, interpret, and spread
awareness of the rich prehistory of Florida, I plan to put all of my skills to
work to meet these goals.

Overall, I plan to dig, dive, teach, engage, analyze, draw,
speak, and do whatever else is necessary to help FPAN in our mission to promote
and facilitate the conservation, study and public understanding of Florida's
archaeological heritage!

It's also a nice time to think about that part of history. When I lived in Boston, it was hard to find a spot that didn't have ties to the Revolutionary War. But in Florida, these places are a little harder to find. However, there's three here in Northeast Florida!

Battle of Thomas Creek
When the war began, East and West Florida were British colonies, handed over after the French-Indian (or Seven Years') War. American troops tried three times to invade East Florida, the second on May 17, 1777, around Thomas Creek in present-day Jacksonville. (The first attempt was in 1776 and fell apart before it even began.)

Georgia militiamen were supposed to meet troops from the Continental Army near Cow Ford, as Jacksonville was known as then. However, when the Army was delayed, the British learned of the plans and ambushed the militia.

The actual location for the battle is still up for debate but archaeologists have found British buttons in an area that could be an associated encampment. Today, a historic marker also stands nearby where US 1 crosses Thomas Creek.

To read the inscription of the historic marker, or get the coordinates to find it yourself, check out it's posting on UNF's Digital Commons website.

Battle of Alligator BridgeAgain in 1778, Georgia militiamen and Continental troops rallied together to attack the British troops in East Florida. On June 30, the sides meet at near a bridge at Alligator Creek, a tributary of the Nassau River. A skirmish ensued until the Continental Army retreated.

The exact site for this battle is also still disputed. A historic marker along Highway 301 in Callahan commemorates this battle. To locate the marker to visit it yourself, check out the marker on Waymarking.com.

Marker for the Battle of Alligator Bridge. Photo Credit: Waymarking.com.

The Storm Wreck
After the war ended, British Loyalists hit the road back to friendly territory. East Florida was still the closest friendly port-of-call. A large fleet of ships of all shapes and sizes left Charleston under way to St. Augustine, but a storm hit when they arrived. Several boats sank, including the yet-to-be-specifically-indentified Storm Wreck.

Archaeologists with the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP) at the St. Augustine Lighthouse discovered the wreck in 2009 and have worked at the site for several field seasons sense, recovering everything from military buttons to door hardware - things fleeing residents would take with them.

LAMP Archaeologists raising a canon from the Storm Wreck in June 2011.

For more information on the Storm Wreck, please visit the LAMP's website.

But what about..... ARTIFACT ENCOUNTERS??? Don't fear! You can call The Bureau of Archaeology at 850-245-6444 to report artifacts found on the beach and their locations.
For more information: www.flheritage.com/archaeology.
FPAN created the card below to inform people of the steps that should be taken: